Midtown Lunch

Last week I told you guys about my last meal before Passover, as big Italian sandwich from Sarcone’s. I needed some serious carbs to break the week of no “chamatz” (bread products, including noodles).  It looks like I  make a habit out of ending Passover with Asian noodles; 2 years ago I broke with Nan Zhou and this year Pho 75 fit the bill.

Pho 75 is located at the corner of a Viet shopping plaza on Washington Avenue. Whereas Pho Hoa has a book for a menu, Pho 75 has a single page and its pho only. Pho, things to put in your pho, and drinks, nothing else.  But unlike Pho Hoa, Pho 75 nails their one menu item.

Large bowls, and they are large, are $6.75. They come with the classic pho friends: sprouts, lime, thai basil, plus all the oils and vinegars already on the table. Heavy on the scallion and onions, which is fine by me, the broth had the classic, star anise backbone. It needed no additions, though a splash of the hot oil didn’t hurt. The raw slices of steak cooked in the soup and absorbed its flavor. And of course, the slew of wiggly noodles were just what I needed.

And would you look at that, a little heart shaped scallion to let me know that this place puts pho much love into what they do.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Great pho

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• I want anything but pho

Pho 75, 1122 Washington  Street, 215 271-5866